According to American intelligence officials, the number of Americans who have joined the rebel groups in Syria, including ISIS, has nearly doubled since January 2014
(TRENTON) – Assemblywoman Marlene Caride (D-Bergen/Passaic) has introduced a resolution urging Congress to prohibit any United States citizen or resident who joins a foreign terror organization, including the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), from returning to the United States.
“By now we have seen the horrific videos. We are aware of the barbaric nature of terrorist organizations like ISIS and the lengths to which they will go to spread their gospel of hate. It is difficult to understand such depravity, but even more so to understand why American citizens would support a group that continues to terrorize and kill so many innocent people, including fellow American citizens,” said Caride. “If these individuals are willing to leave their homes and go to a country that is foreign to them to join and fight for ISIS, what else will they be willing to do on their behalf upon returning to our country?
According to President Obama’s administration, ISIS poses the most serious threat to the United States since Al Queda before the September 11 attacks. As ISIS has seized large expanses of territory in recent months, it has drawn more foreigners to Syria to join ISIS, requiring more American and European law enforcement resources to attempt to stop the flow of fighters into Syria.
American intelligence officials assert that the number of Americans who have joined the rebel groups in Syria, including ISIS, has nearly doubled since January 2014, with officials believing that more than 100 Americans have fought with these rebel groups since the war began three years ago. United States officials fear that Americans who have joined the rebel groups could easily return to this country radicalized and apply terrorist training they received in Syria.
As a result, the resolution (AR-181) respectfully urges Congress to prohibit any U.S. citizen or resident who leaves the country to join, fight for, or provide assistance to a foreign terrorist group, including ISIS, from re-entering the United States in order to protect the citizens of this nation from acts of terror.
“ISIS is known for brutally killing dozens of people at a time and carrying out public executions and other heinous acts. They executed two American journalists and are believed to be holding more Americans captive,” said Caride. “Anyone who somehow sees honor in such evil poses a threat to our national security. I urge Congress to take the necessary steps to prevent individuals who have joined in solidarity with these terrorists from returning to the United States.”
The resolution has been referred to the Assembly Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee.